I'm getting a new 440cc or 500cc arctic cat sled this winter and i was wondering what to look out for. I cant afford a new one so i will be looking for one that is at least 1998 or sooner but if there has been any known problems with any sleds i'd like to know before i buy. eg: some parts wear faster than others on different sleds. so any problems with your sled post them here and i will take it into consideration. thanks.

Its a good time to buy as the market for used sleds is really down right now. I would take a good look at the track,,, how are the lugs,,, will it need to be replaced soon. I would also use a compression tester and check the compression of the sled your looking at. You want the compression on the 2 cylinders to be within 10% of each other maximum. If your over 110 on each side and within 10% on each,,, your top end should be ok. I would also look the clutches over for cracks of any sort,,, pull them apart on the sled with your hand and see how tight they are. I would also start it up, lift the rear of the sled and hit the throttle a time or two and just listen,,, do you hear and clunks,,, bangs,,, any weird noises?? If the owner is right there, ask him who took care of the sled,,, if he says that he did, ask him to show you where the grease zirts are at. If he cant show you, he probably didnt do a good job taking care of it.
Look over your idler wheels, idler bearing, and shocks,,,, when you sit on it, does is sag clear to the ground,,, do the idlers spin freely??

thats a good list to get you started. That is pretty much what I do when I am looking for a sled. Good luck and let us know what you come up with.